Worst Drivers By State

Drivers in the United States often compare skill levels as a way of judging the country’s best and worst drivers. While many make jokes about the topic of bad driving, the truth surrounding the issue is both serious and sobering.

Using information published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we have put together a list of America’s worst drivers by state. This information comes from a study by the NHTSA that focuses on fatal car crashes in the U.S. and their causes.

While this decrease is something to celebrate, we still have a long way to go for safe driving.

The statistics released by the NHTSA show how we as drivers are responsible for what happens not only to us but also to those around us. Additionally, the information may help you understand your auto insurance premiums.

Take a look to discover whether your state makes the list for worst drivers. Then read more about what causes automobile accidents and what you can do to make a difference.

We translated all of this information into one Total Score, with the worst states receiving the lowest scores.

For example, North Dakota, the state with the worst rating for Drunk Driving — or the highest percentage of fatal crashes due to Drunk Driving — earned just one point in this category. Utah, the state with the lowest percentage, received a score of 51.

For a complete breakdown, along with the specific sources used for each scoring criteria, click here, or you can view the rankings table below. For all media inquiries, please email: Josh Barnes

Ten States with the Worst Drivers:

#10 – Montana

Moving from first place last year to tenth place this year, Montana seems to have done a lot to improve the quality of driving on the road. The state came in above average for Careless Driving but still has some work to do taking third place for Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

Here’s hoping that next year, Montana will improve even more and won’t show up on our list.

#8 – Arizona (tie)

Arizona also improved on its score from last year, moving from sixth to eighth place. The state’s worst ranking factor was a tie between Failure to Obey and Careless Driving causing over 170 fatalities combined.

#8 – Alabama (tie)

Alabama tied with Arizona this year for the eighth worst state for bad drivers.

The state ranked ninth in Careless Driving. Because Alabama didn’t make it onto our list last year, we can only assume that driving habits have regressed. Hopefully, Alabama drivers will focus on safe driving and remove themselves from our list next year.

#7 – Nevada

Coming in at number seven, Nevada scored above average in Failure to Obey. But drivers in the state ranked fourth for Careless Driving causing 78 fatalities on the road from Careless Driving alone. Nevada’s second highest score was eighth for Drunk Driving.

#6 – New Mexico

New Mexico improved on our list from last year, moving from second to sixth place. The state did well in the Failure to Obey category, but ranked first — or worst — in Careless Driving and sixth in Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

#5 – Delaware

Delaware moved on our list from ninth last year to fifth this year. Scoring third in Careless Driving and eighth in Speeding, Delaware drivers have a lot to do to make their roads a safer place to travel.

#4 – North Dakota

An issue with Drunk Driving caused North Dakota to slip on our list from seventh place last year to fourth this year. Drunk Driving caused 66 deaths in North Dakota last year. It’s a serious problem that drivers in the state need to recognize and address.

The fact that North Dakota placed sixth in Speeding only adds fuel to the fire. Individuals who are drinking and driving over the speed limit are far more likely to cause fatal accidents than those who are following the law.

#3 – South Carolina

South Carolina came in close to their score last year, coming in at third this year instead of second. While drivers in South Carolina scored well in the Failure to Obey category, they placed first in Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled and seventh in both Speeding and Careless Driving.

#1 – Texas (tie)

Texas, tying with Louisiana, slipped on our list from fourth last year to first. Drivers in Texas ranked third for Drunk Driving, ninth for Speeding, and ninth for Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled.

Texas scored top 15 in every category. Needless to say, this state has a lot to improve on when it comes to safe driving.

#1 – Louisiana (tie)

With an above average score in Speeding, Louisiana comes in for a tie for first place because of its score in every other category.

Drivers in Louisiana scored poorly in Failure to Obey (1st), Careless Driving (5th), Fatalities Rate per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled (5th), and Drunk Driving (6th). With those scores, there’s no denying that Louisiana is in serious need of change on the road.

Best Predictor of States with Bad Drivers: Careless Driving

Careless Driving has been an excellent predictor of bad scores in past years, and this year’s study is no exception. Of the 20 worst states overall, 16 states were ranked in the worst half for Careless Driving.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each day in the United States, over 8 people are killed and 1,161 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver” (Source).

One major thing we can all do as competent and caring drivers is to put away our cell phones before we ever get behind a wheel. Hiding them will help keep our eyes on the road and our minds on the important task before us.

Failure to Obey and Fatal Accidents

It is interesting to note that the Failure to Obey category had the smallest correlation with the overall number of fatal accidents. While three of the 10 worst states scored under 10, three others (Nevada, South Carolina, and New Mexico) were ranked in the best half in the same category.

Change Starts with You

Though we may find it easy to place blame on others when it comes to bad driving, the truth is that we only have the power to control our actions. In light of this fact, we need to do everything we can to ensure we are making the road a safer place.

We all make choices each time we get behind the wheel, and those choices impact the lives of countless individuals. Regardless of our past habits and patterns, let’s put forth every effort to drive safely!

Complete Rankings: Worst Drivers

– To sort the table by category, click on header columns.

– Click here for the full stats and sources for each category. For all media inquiries, please email: Josh Barnes